It is a period of magic and non-magic war. The Order of the Phoenix (OoP) envoys, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Dark Side led by Lord Voldemort.

During the battle, OoP spies managed to obtain blueprints to the Dark Side's secret weapon, The Devastator, an armoured floating fortress with enough magic to destroy an entire city.

Pursued by the Dark Side's sinister Death Eaters, Commander Hermione Granger races home on the Hogwart's Express, custodian of the obtained blueprints that can save her people (Muggles included) and restore freedom to the world.

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The Hogwarts Express clackered along noisily across the countryside, driven with great haste and care at the same time. Walking along the corridor of it were two odd figures. One was a house-elf, the other an owl. The former was Dobby, the latter called Hedwig. Not many people understood the owl but Dobby, who was fluent in over twenty different magical languages (including Owl Speech) could understand him well.

"Did Hedwig hear that? Orders' has shut down the engine," Dobby squeaked to the bird anxiously as an explosion rocked the train.

This one sounded close - too close - and probably had nearly hit the train. Hedwig chittered to herself, aware of the situation and told her companion this. Dobby ignored her, continuing in a worried tone, "There'll be no escape for Commander this time."

Fluttering her white wings irratbly, she took off from his shoulder and begin flying around overhead. The explosions had grown to such extremity that no one could hear anyone else. Dark, hooded people were crowding around one of the carriage hatches outside, fresh explosions illuminating.

"Does Hedwig suppose Dobby better move down a bit?"

Dobby immediately spun on his heel and went the other way, adjusting his tea cosy. Resigned to her fate, the owl followed with a gentle beating of her wings. The next explosion threw the house-elf off his feet and into a door. Sweeping through the corridor were members of the OoP,wands at the ready and cloaks drawn over their heads. The bright gold attire blinded the pair for a moment - then the wizards and witches were gone.

Hedwig voiced her affirmative to moving, but Dobby, having only half-heard her, followed at a dazed pace, trying to find his companion. Back down the corridor, the Order of the Phoenix members who had been aboard had stationed themselves evenly apart. A few muttered thanks and goodbyes were heard then suddenly -

The door burst off its hinges and disintegrated. In came a dozen spells and many, many more Death Eaters to match the awaiting OoPs. The harsh geen light emitted from both sides blinded each person, but didn't stop the retreat made by the opposition. As the fight continued down the corridor, the fearsome "Shadow" hoisted himself up into the carriage.

He was tallish and dressed in dark drapes. He might have looked like a very large Death Eater, had it not been for the black nightmarish helmet balanced carefully on his head. His breaths came shallow and menacingly as he swirled his cloak behind him. "The Shadow", as he was known, was Voldemort's right-hand man and knew every curse in existence.

Perhaps he had been different a long time ago, but now he demanded respect from the Death Eaters nearest him. They twitched as they stood against the walls and watched him pass, expelling sighs of relief when he had done so. "The Shadow" was feared for his wandless magic.

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Dobby wouldn't admit to himself he was lost. He couldn't find Hedwig anywhere and was beginning to get a little nervous. He muttered continuously about Hedwig under his breath before calling out, "Hedwig! Dobby wonders where Hedwig is!"

Dobby had reached the door leading to another carriage now. Peeking around the corner nervously, his eyes widened when he saw Hedwig holding out a leg for a slight woman to tie a message on. She petted the owl gently, shot a nervy look around her, then ran into the next carriage. Frowning slightly, the house-elf twoddled around the corner.

"The Shadow" held a man around the throat in one fist, but had turned to one of his advisors for a report. Needless to say, he was furious when the hooded advisor told him in a hurried voice, "Nothing, your Lordship. The retrieval system has been wiped of anything."

The dark shadow of a man nodded slightly then turned to the struggling train driver in his grasp, letting an uncomfortable silence follow. He released his hold just slightly and growled at the already shaking OoP member, "Where are the blueprints? What have you done with them!"

"If this is an aid mission, bearing New Ministry markings, where is your Commander?" "The Shadow"'s voice had dropped again to a growl.

But the man was already dead. Dropping him and carelessly stepping over in a great stride, the right-hand man scanned the corridor further down to see Death Eaters gliding along the corridors looking for survivors. He let his voice carry to all those around him, "Tear this train apart if you have to - I want those blueprints. As for their survivors, I want them alive!"

Muttering quick affirmatives, the Death Eaters scurried away from his presence, grateful that no one had been punished for this mistake. Yet.

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Hedwig attempted to open the lavatory door with her beak, ignoring her baleful friend who moaned and wailed every so often. It took a while for Dobby to realise what the owl was doing. "Hedwig is not permitted in there! It's restricted to Humans only - Hedwig could be in trouble!"

What trouble? Hedwig wanted to know, frustrated. There's no one left.

Finding no suitable remark to this, the house-elf only watched as the bird flew in. The wand blast off to the side decided for Dobby only seconds later. He threw himself into the cramped lavatory room and shut the door, sliding the lock in place. Hedwig was already perched on the small window, waiting patiently it seemed. Seeing her friend there, she launched herself out the window.

"Dobby is going to regret this," the house-elf said mournfully before jumping out after her.

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"There's goes some more. Should we kill them?"

"Nah." The other Death Eater watched the owl and the house-elf sneak away. "They're too low to even think of taking the blueprints."

The two watching men soon fell into silence, not knowing how much of a mistake they had made. Instead, the looked out at the barren countryside.

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A young woman crept along the corridors, her wand held loosely at her side. Hearing noise, she darted into the next carriage and spun around, ready to face her pursuers. Somewhere in her delicate mind, she knew there was no way out. Even so, she would not go without a fight.

The Death Eaters who were approaching, had their instructions, but their leader reminded them yet again. "Here she is - set for stun."

He would never say another word as he opened the connecting doors, catching the blast full on in his chest. The female Commander had no time to celebrate as the others poured into the carriage. They shouted as one the spell they'd been told to do. "Stupefy!"

She pitched onto her face and lay quite still, unable of conscious thought. One knelt by her and gave a quick check, announcing with some relief (born of anxiety not to be the next one to die at Voldemort's hands for failure), "She'll be alright. Report to "The Shadow"."

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Dobby peered out at the train wreckage mesmerised by the flames. Hedwig pecked him on the shoulder, twitering calmly. The house-elf asked, a little concerned about the owl's choice, "Is Hedwig sure about this?"